Vehicle Cable Guard Structure for Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle cable guard structures are vulnerable to external access and vandalism, particularly when cables are routed along the outside of the vehicle body, as seen in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-281919, where the grab rail is easily accessible from the outside.
Innovation Solution
A cable guard structure for a vehicle locking mechanism where the vehicle body side locking member is positioned at the vehicle's center, with a vertically routed cable guided through a long tubular cable guide, integrated with the longitudinal wall and eaves portion, and protected by bulging walls, allowing the cable to be routed behind the head pipe and in front of the fuel tank, reducing external access and component count.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the cable is routed along the outside of the vehicle body (e.g., along the grab rail), then the cable routing is simple and accessible, but the cable becomes vulnerable to external access and vandalism
Solution Approach 1:
The cable routing is changed from a horizontal external path (along the grab rail) to a vertical internal path (through the longitudinal wall and eaves portion). This dimensional change moves the cable from the external accessible space to the internal protected space of the vehicle body, eliminating vandalism risk while maintaining routing simplicity through the vertical structure
Solution Approach 2:
The cable is nested within the longitudinal wall structure and eaves portion, which are integral parts of the vehicle body. The cable passes through the longitudinal wall and is protected by the eaves portion, creating a nested configuration where the cable is embedded within the vehicle body structure rather than exposed externally
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the vehicle body side locking member is positioned at the center of the vehicle body, then external access to the cable is suppressed, but the cable routing becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The cable routing utilizes the vertical dimension by passing through the longitudinal wall and eaves portion, rather than requiring complex horizontal routing to reach the centrally positioned locking member. This vertical path simplifies the overall routing while achieving the security goal of suppressing external access
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate components are used for cable protection (cable guard, cable guide, locking mechanism), then each component can be optimized independently, but the total number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cable guide and eaves portion are merged into a single integrated component. The eaves portion serves dual functions: it protects the locking mechanism from external access and simultaneously guides the cable through its internal passage. This merging reduces the total component count while maintaining the protective and guiding functions
Solution Approach 2:
The eaves portion is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously provides mechanical protection for the locking mechanism and serves as a cable guide. This universal component performs multiple functions that would traditionally require separate parts, reducing overall system complexity
Data Source
AI summary
In a cable guard structure for a locking mechanism in which a lid hook is engaged with a first swing member to lock a fuel lid, and the locking of the fuel lid is released by a release operation through a cable connected to the side of the vehicle body side locking member, the first swing member is disposed at the general center of a vehicle body. The cable is routed in vehicle in a vertical direction. A cable guide guides the cable. The cable guide is a long tubular member, and is arranged substantially vertically. The cable is passed through the cable guide. Such cable guard structure for a locking mechanism can prevent access to a cable from the outside.